Washing-machine.



F. I. BUCKNER.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED ocT.2o. 1915.

INVENTOFI ATTORNEY 3 SHEETS-SHEET l IPL.

F. l. BUCKNER.

WASHING MACHINE. APPLlcATloN FILED oT.2o.1 915.'

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patentd ,May 29 www@ lNVENTOR ATTOR N EY F. BUCKNER.

WASHING MAcmNE'.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.20. 1915.

Patented May 29, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

MINIMUM,

ATTORNEY for instance as jpl FREDERI'MCK BUCKNER, OF DOUGLAS, ARLZONA,

ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 CELSO G.

SORJANO, F DOUGLAS, ARIZONA.

'WASHING-MACHINE.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK l. BUCK- NER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Douglas, in the county of Cochise and State of Arizona, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in `Washinglachines, of which the following is a specifcation. y

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved washing machine that comprehends novel means for imparting movement to the tumbler' or clothes container to obtain the desired agitation of the contents thereof and, at the same time, cause a continuous flow of fluid to and from the same in order to expedite the thorough washing and cleaning, or the proper rinsing of the clothes, such as the case may be.

My invention has for another object the provision of an improved tumbler or clothes container which, by reason of its novel construction. may be mounted in a manner to provide for the proper and thorough washing of materials of varying thicknesses, such blankets and other heavy articles, or ordinary clothing and materials of a similar grade, or still further, fancy dresses and other very thin fabrics.

A further object of my invention resides in the provision of improved means for conveying the fluid to and from the tumbler or clothes container during its operation which tends to facilitate rather than impede movement of the saine, impetus being given to the tumbler both by the impinge of the fluid entering the same and the suction oreated during the afflux.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a new and improved device of the type in question that is extremely sirnple in construction, strong and durable, and highly practical from both the standpoint of the manufacturer and the standpoint of the user; and which, it is believed, may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent during the continuance of the following description.

rllhese objects are accomplished by such means, as are shown ia their preferred form in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specilication and then more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Specification of Letters Patent.. Application led October 20,

Patented May 29, 191i'. 1915. serial No. 56,955.

In the accompanyingdrawings wherein like4 characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing my invention as in its preferred emi bodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view in top plan.

Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section. However parts are shown broken away and in elevation.

Fig. lis a fragmentary view illustrating a joint that is used in connection with the :tluid conducting apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a bearing which is employed in connection with certain of the supporting shafts.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing in detail the means to support the tumbler and conduct the fluid thereto.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the tumbler supporting frame showing the method of attaching one of its gudgeons.

ln the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the main supporting posts, which are connected adjacent their lower ends by cross arms 11 that are arranged to extend preferably laterally with respect to the general extent of the device, and at their upper ends by preferably longitudinally extending joists or beams 1.,. In order to provide a common container for the water or other fluid withdrawn' from the tumbler or clothes container and to provide for the further utilization of this fluid in connection therewith, atank 13, that is preferably of the form shown, is mounted to rest on the cross arms 11. Suitable means in the form of a faucet lll may be employed for the purpose of facilitating the withdrawal of the fluid from the tank.

A suitable frame 15, that may be formed of channel iron (see Fig. 3), is arranged between the joists l2, the ends thereof having hollow gudgeons 16 and 1T fixed thereto as shown at 18. Each of the joists 12 carries a plate 19 which has a housing Q0 fixed thereto as at 2l, while the respective plate and housing are each provided with a suitable opening for receiving the gudgeons 16 and 17. Fig. 5, the plate and housing of each of the bearings is provided with a race Q2 which receives friction bearings 24 in order to assure the free rotative movement ot' the guilgeons during the operation of the tlevictV As will be noted upon reference to lill) j manera Pipes 25 connect at 'one end with the gudgeons 16 and 17, such as by being passed through suitable openings in the frame 15,V

while their other ends have connection with the oppositely extending conducting pipes 26 and 27 through the medium of elbows 28,. Theconducting pipes 27, extending in opposite directions to each other, are passed through suitable openings 29 and 30 in the side portions of the frame 15 whereby they are efficiently supported, while they are connected at their other end to other conducting pipes 31 and 32 through the medium of connecting joints 33. The pipes 31 and 32 are in turn connected Ywith hollow trunnions 34 which are passed through the side portions of the frame 15 substantially intermediate its ends, through the medium of joints 35.

rl`he improved tumbler or clothes container is preferably formed of sections 36 and 37 respectively that may be constructed of any suitable material, such for instance as galvanized iron or the like, the diameter of the end of one of the sections being slightly greater than the diameter of the adjacent end of the-other of the sections so as to receive the smaller section in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 3. By providing each of the sections with spaced ridges or offsets 38 provision is not only made for obtaining the desired agitation of the contents of the tumbler during the operation of the device and assuring the proper washing of the clothes, but provision is also made to limit the telescopic movement of the smaller section within the section 36, as also shown in Fig. 3.

The hollow trunnions 34 above referred to, are connected with and loosely supportthe sections 36 of the tumbler by having their inner ends passed through the rem-- forcingring 39 thereof `and the adjacent wall of the said sections as clearly shown in Fig. (3. Consequently during operation of the frame 15, an oscillatory movement will be imparted to the tumbler, aside from its rotary movement, firstly, by reason of the fact that one of the sections 36 is larger and heavier than the other and, secondly, by reason ofthe transposition of the contents of the tumbler from one end to the other. lt will be noted that this oscillation will be in the plane of the general extent of the frame 15, whereas the normal rotary movement of the tumbler is at right angles to theA extent ofthe frame. Although as stated above the tumbler may be permitted to oscillate during the operation of the device it has been found that under certain conditions the more efficient cleansing of the material contained therein may be obtained by fixing the tumbler in a substantially upright pos1- tlonor at an angle such asI shown 1n dotted lines in Fig. 3. "When the device is being used for Washing blankets or other eX- tremely heavy or thick articles the tumbler may be left to oscillate freely during rotative movement in order to assure a greater agitation of the contents and an increased friction between the articles being Washed and the ridged inner walls of the tumbler sections. On the other hand, when the device is being used for washing ordinary clothing and material of a similar grade this increased agitation and friction will not be necessary, except under unusual conditions, and therefore it is preferable that the tumbler be fixed in a substantially upright position such as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. lVhen in an upright position the contents of the tumbler will drop from one end to the other by action of gravity, during the rotation thereof so as to produce a reasonable amount of friction with the side walls of the tumbler sections such as will be suflicient to thoroughly clean the clothes yet not subject the same to any great amount of wear. ln the event that the device is to be used for washing very thin fabrics the dropping of the material from one end of the tumbler to another during its operation may be eliminated by positioning the tumbler in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. To facilitate the arrangement of the tumbler in this manner the lower section 36 is provided with, a catch 40 and the frame 15 with a keeper 41 to receive thecatch. Thus it will be recognized that the tumbler may be held securely in this position during the entire operation of the device.

lt is, of course, necessary to adopt some means for securely retaining the tumbler sections in position and while l do not limit myself to any specific form, in the drawings l have shown an improved form that may be used if it is so desired. In this embodiment the reinforcing ring 39 of the'tumbler sections 3G is provided with a pair of substantially diametrically opposite brackets l2 which pivotally support keeping levers 43. ln turn the levers 43 carry suitable elongated links al which, when the tumbler sections are in a correct position, engage with the brackets l5 of the tumbler section 37. ln Fig. 3 the tumbler sections are shown in a locked position, that' is the levers 43 are so arranged that thelinks 4l engage firmly with the brackets 45 of the tumbler section 37, yet to unlock the sections the simple maaaa 2, adjacent which one end of the gudgeon 16 operates. A suitable stuffing box 47 is adjustably mounted on the projecting end of the gudgeon 16 through which projects a pipe 48 (see Fig. 4) that is mounted to be stationary with respect to the gudgeon. The

gudgeon 16 carries a suitable gear Wheel 49v that is designed to mesh with a second gear Wheel 50 carried upon the stub shaft 51. The stub shaft 51 is in turn mounted upon the frame 46 and the adjacent one of the joists 12 through the medium of bearings 52 and carries` a pulley or Hy Wheel 53 at its outer end that may be operated in a suitable manner. A belt may be passed about the pulley 53 so as to operate the stub shaft or the same may be simply operated through the medium of a handle 54.

The gudgeon 17 projects/some distance beyond the adjacent joist 12 and carries a Hy wheel 55 adjacent its outer end. Like the gudgeon 16, the gudgeon 17 receives yan outlet pipe 56 through the medium of a stufling box 57, the outlet pipe being, ofcourse, loosely mounted with respect thereto. The fly Wheel 55 merely tends to assure the uniform operation of the tumbler and impart to the frame 15 the desired inertia. HoW- ever, should it be so desired' the operator may place theactuating belt in connection with this ily Wheel instead of in connection with the pulley 53. t

In Fig. 1 the numerals 58 and 59 designate suitable fluid supply pipes which are connected at their one end With a common conducting pipe 60. rIhe lower end of the pipe connects with a second pipe 61 Which lis in turn connected with the conducting pipe 48 through the medium of an el bow 62. The fluid from the maingpipes 58 and 59 may be passed directly to the pipe 60 to the conducting pipe 61 or it may be passed through faucets 63, through soap containers 64 and hence to the conducting pipe 61 through tubes By placing the soap or other material Within the containers 64, the uid passing to the conducting pipes 61 and hence to the tumbler, Will be thoroughly 4saturated and intermixed there- With.

The fluid after leaving the conducting pipe 61 passes through the gudgeon 16 to the pipe 25 and hence to the tumbler through the medium of the conducting pipes 26 and 31 and. one of the trunnions 34.

l'il/'hen Withdrawn Jfrom the tumbler the Huid passes first through one of the trunnions 34, then through the conducting pipes 27 and 32, through the pipe 25 and the gudgeon 17 and hence to the tank 13 through the medium of the pipe 56 and other pipes 63, 64 and 65.

In order to eli'ect the forcing oi the fluid back to the tumbler and at the same time provide for the reuse oi the duid that has lsuch as pointed out above.

been deposited in the tank 13, I provide a suitable pump. The body of the pump is of substantially the conventional form comprising a main cylinder '66 and a plunger 67 which coperates therewith, the cylinder having an inlet pipe 68 and an outlet port 69. The inlet pipe 68 is connected With a conducting pipe 7 0 through the medium of suitable joints 71 and With the conducting pipes 61 by another pipe 72. In order to control the flow of fluid through the pipe 72 I provide the same with a suitable valve 73 as clearly shown in Fig. 1. While the pump may be operated by means independent of the device it is preferable that the same be actuated consonant With the speed of rotation of the tumbler and therefore I have devised means .to accomplish this result. To this end the gudgeon 17 is provided With a cam 74 about Which operates the strap 75 of an actuating arm 76. One end of'this actuating arm is slightly enlarged as at 77, the said enlargement being provided with a slot 78 Jfor receiving a stud 79 that may be positioned upon one of the joists 12. A link 8O depends from the arm 76 at a point substantially intermediate its ends and has connection with the plunger rod 67 as at 81 whereby the oscillatory movement of the arm 76 Will be converted into a reciprocatory movement for properly actuating the plunger of the pump.

As the pump above referred to is of the force variety the operator rst rotates the pulley 53 in a direction to cause the operation of the pump in a manner to create a suction Within the lower portion of the cylinder 66, although this operation is not resorted to until the device has been run long enough to fill the tank 13 to the desired level.

In the operation of my device, the operator first places the material to be Washed within the tumbler and proceeds to clamp the tumbler sections in a secure position, Although it is not absolutely essential, I desire to point out the fact that the tumbler should never be filled over one-half full of the material to be Washed since it is necessary to permit the free movement of this'material during the rotation of the tumbler. After the material to be Washed has been placed Within the tumbler and the sections thereof securely clamped together, the operator places the soap or other material to be mixed with the Water, Within the containers 64, after which the iaucets 63 may be opened to permit the Water to flow through the containers, to the tubes and hence to the conducting pipes 6l. AWhen iirst starting the device the valve 73 should always be closed in order to permit the water to llow directly through the pipe 61 to the pipe 48 and hence to the gudgeon 16. From the gudgeon 16 the Water passes through pipes 26 and 3l to the tumf bler. After a suflicient amount of water has entered the tumbler the operator causes the actuation of the pulley 53 which, by reason of the intermeshing gears 49 and 50 respectively, rotates the gudgeon 16 and the frame 15 together with the tumbler. As intimated above, if the material being washed is very heavy, such for instance as blankets or other similar articles, the tumbler is allowed to oscillate slightly during Athe rotation of the frame whereas on the other hand should the tumbler contain ordinary -clothing or material of a like grade, it may be retained in an approximately upright position with respect to the frame through the cooperation of the links 82 and the keepers 83. However, when washing very thin fabrics I desire to position the tumbler in the manner shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the catches l0 and the keeper l1 obviating accidental displacement.

As the tumbler rotates with the frame 15 a certain amount of fluid will be drawn outwardly through the pipes 27 and 32 and hence through the pipe 25 and the gudgeon 17, and the pipes 63, 6l and 65 to the tank 13. The continual flow of the fluid downwardly through the pipes 63 and 65 will tend to cause a suction at the mouth of the pipe 32 and the adjacent trunnion 34: so as to not only withdraw the fluid from the tumbler in a desired manner but also tend to facilitate the drawing of fluid into the tumbler and help to some extent to facilitate the operation .of the tumbler. The effect of this suction and the impinge of the fluid entering the tumbler will be more clearly noticed when the `tumbler is free to oscillate slightly.

Then the level of the fluid in the tank l13 has reached the desired height the operator may close the faucets 63 and by opening the valve 73 cause the fluid in the tank to be forced upwardly by the pump, to bel` again passed through the tumbler. By providing this tank, and the improved means for forcing the fluid therein through the tumbler, I not only minimize the amount of water used in the washing operation but also save a great amount of soap which would, under ordinary circumstances be wasted.

From the foregoing it is believed, that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily understood and therefore further detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

In reducing my invention to practice, I find that the form referred to herein is the most practical and preferred embodiment and the most eflicient, but realizing that certain conditions will necessarily varyv in concurrence with the adoption of my device, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in the details of construction and in the proportion of parts may be resorted to when 'required without sacrificing any of trunnions carried by said frame and loosely supporting said tumbler, thereby rendering said tumbler bodily rotatable with said frame and adapted for independenboseillatory movement, and means to introduce"into and withdraw a fluid from said tumbler by way of said trunnions,.

2. A washing machine comprising a supporting structure, a carrying frame, hollow gudgeons positioned at the ends of said frame and loosely connected with said supporting structure, thereby adapting said frame for rotative movement, a tumbler, hollow trunnions carried by the intermediate portion of said frame and loosely supporting said tumbler, thereby adapting said tumbler for independent oscillatory movement with respect to said frame, means to introduce into and withdraw a fluid from said tumbler by way of said gudgeons and said trunnions, and means to rotate said frame.

3. A washingmachine comprising a supporting structure, a carrying frame, hollow gudgeons positioned at the ends of said frame, bearings on said supporting structure loosely supporting said gudgeons, a tumbler, hollow trunnions positioned intermediate the ends of said frame, said trunnions being loosely connected with and open to the interior of said tumbler, pipes connecting one of said gudgeons and one of ySaid trunnions, other pipes connecting the other of said gudgeons with the other of said trunnions, a fluid intake pipe discharging into one of said gudgeons, and an outlet pipe open to the other of said gudgeons, and means to rotate said frame.

4. In a washing machine including a supporting structure, the combination with a fluid storage tank carried by said structure, of a frame, hollow gudgeons positioned at the ends of said frame, bearings on said supporting structure loosely supporting said gudgeons, a tumbler, hollow trunnions positioned. intermediate the ends of said frame, means loosely connecting said trunnions with Isaid tumbler, pipes connecting said gudgeons and said trunnions, an inlet pipe open at one end to the interior of said storage tank and having its other end open to one of said gudgeons, means to force the Huid from said storage tank through saidv inlet-pipe, an outlet pipe open to the other of said gudgeons and discharging into' said storage tank, and means to rotate said frame and operate said force feed means simultaneously.

5. A washing machine comprising in combination with a fluid storage tank, a supporting structure, a carrying frame, hollow gudgeons positioned at the ends of said frame and loosely connected with said supporting structure, a tumbler, hollow tiuI- nions carried by said frame and loosely supfluid conducting porting said tumbler, means connecting `said gudgeons and said trunnions, an inlet pipe open at one end to said storage tank and the` other end to one of said gudgeons, an outlet pipe open at one end to said storage tank and at its other end 15 In testimony whereof l ax my signature 2o in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERlCK ll. BUOKNER.

` Witnesses:

M. E. JONES, E. B. Wemms. 

